Blow cleaning



June 11, 1968 E. NAGEL. ,ETAL

BLOW CLEANING 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed May 4, 1965 lNveNToRs ERNST NAGEL JOACHIM FuRsTENeERG ,M11 MM ATTORNEYS.

June 11, 1968 Filed May 4, 1965 BLCWER CAPACITY E. NAGEL ETAL 3,387,318

BLOW CLEANING 2 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 2.

/ 2 ORIFICES BLOW DISTANCE (NUMBER 0F EQUIVALENT DIAMETERS) INVENTORS ER N ST NAGEL. JOACHIM FURSTENBERG ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Pneumatic cleaning means for removing foreign matter from areas adjacent the path of travel of textile fibers passing through yarn processing apparatus, said means including blower means positioned adjacent the areas to be cleaned with the blower means coupled to duct means having a discharge orice directing an air stream in a path substantially parallel to and in the same direction as the path of travel of the textile fibers being processed, and suction means spaced from the discharge orifice to pick up the air discharged by the orifice and any foreign matterv entrained in the air stream.

This invention relates to the art of blow cleaning, more particularly to improved means for pneumatically clearing textile fabricating apparatus of lint, fly, and the like foreign matter normally tending to accumulate as the result of the passage of the textile fibers through the apparatus.

A Variety of equipment has been evolved for use in textile mills to implement the cleaning of the textile processing apparatus. Much of such cleaning equipment utilizes a blown airstream directed over the surfaces to be cleaned. In such blown air cleaning equipment, the air current is directed in a direction substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned, and sucked away at the end of the surface. While these blown air cleaning techniques are satisfactory in situations where the surface to be cleaned is relatively small, difficulties arise in cleaning surfaces of larger extent due to the high velocities of the blown airstream which must be established, and due to the resulting turbulence in the surrounding atmosphere produced by these large velocity airstreams. As a result of this turbulence, accumulations of foreign matter in areas remote from the cleaned surface are often thrown up into the ambient surroundings creating further cleaning problems. Additionally these high velocity airstreams tend to influence the textile fibers being processced, interfering with desired processing.

It is with the above problems and desiderata in mind that the present means, including both method and apparatus, have been evolved serving to implement the cleaning of surfaces particularly in textile mills by the utilization of a blown airstream without necessitating unfeasibly high air velocities, and thus minimizing the cost of the blowing equipment and the interference with the processing by unduly high air velocities.

It is accordingly among the primary objects of this invention to provide pneumatic cleaning equipment utilizing a blown airstream for cleaning relatively large surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method utilizing a blown airstream for cleaning relatively large surfaces without disturbing adjacent areas.

A further object of the invention is to provide an irnproved pneumatic clearing system employing a blown airstream of relatively low velocity to effect clearing of any desired surface area. f

It is also an object of the invention to provide pneumatic 3,387,318 Patented June 11, 1968 ICC clearing equipment in which the air handling apparatus may be kept relatively small and subject to economical production and installation.

These and other objects of the invention which will become hereafter apparent are achieved by positioning a blower duct adjacent the areas to be cleaned. The blower duct is provided with a discharge orifice, preferably of a slot-like configuration serving to direct a blown airstream along the surface of the blower duct. The direction of flow of the blown airstream is substantially parallel to the path of movement of the material to be processed, the movement of which tends to produce the undesired foreign matter to be cleaned. A suction duct is positioned downstream of the discharge oriilce to pick up the blown air-` stream and any foreign matter entrained therein.

Among the features of the invention is the fact that by directing a blown airstream along a path of travel substantially parallel to the path of travel of the processed material, the airstream produces minimum turbulence tending to interfere with the processed material.

Another feature of the invention resides in the formation of the blower duct with discharge orifices by fabricating the duct with one surface formed by a plurality of stepped partially overlapping spaced plates, with the space between the overlap between two adjacent plates forming an orifice-like slot directing the air discharged along the surface of the duct.

Another feature of the invention resides in the discovery that by forming the ducts with a spacing between discharge orifices greater than four times the equivalent diameter of the discharge orifice, the air quantities required to effect efficient cleaning may be substantially minimized.

The specific details of a preferred embodiment of the invention, and their mode of functioning will be made most manifest and particularly pointed out in clear, concise, and exact terms in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic cross-section through yarn processing apparatus such as a roving frame to which the novel cleaning 1equipment has been applied; and

FlG. 2 is a graphical presentation showing the air requirements as a function of the blowing distance for different numbers of orifices utilized.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the pneumatic cleaning equipment 10 is shown arranged for use in cleaning the area adjacent the -drafting rolls of -roll stand R of a roving frame. The cleaning equipment 10 made in accordance with the teachings of this invention is seen to comprise a blower header 11 connect/ed via supply conduit 12 to the high side of fan 13. The blower header 11 is arranged to extend along the back of a conventional roving frame behind the roll stands of the frame, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

As illustrated, blower header 11 is formed with an opening 14 in its front wall, and an opening 15 in its top wall. Opening 14 leads to blower duct 16 which in the illustrated embodiment is positioned beneath the rolls of roll stand R. Blower duct 16 is preferably formed of sheet metal, or the like relatively rigid sheet material utilizing conventional sheet fabricating techniques. The upper surface of blower yduct 16 is formed with a plurality of stepped pa-rtially overlapping spaced plates 17A, 17B, 17C and 17D, with a space between each overlap between two adjacent plates forming an orifice-like slot 18. The rear end of eachplate which lies in a superposed relationship with respect to a preceding plate, as viewed from right to left in the drawing, is formed with a downwardly bent ange 19 which forms a funnel-like convergent air entry 20 between flange 19 and the lower surface of the preceding plate 17.

A collecting pan 21 is formed of sheet material as an extension adjacent the inlet to suction duct 22 which is shown schematically as arranged to extend beneath the blower duct 16 to suction header 23 which is coupled via schematically shown suction conduit 24 through filter or collector separator 25 to the suction or low side of fan 13.

In the illustrated embodiment a cover assembly 26 is hingedly secured at pivot point 27 to a point at the rear of the roll stand R provided on the cleaning equipment as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Cover assembly 26, the components of which are formed by sheet metal or the like readily fabricated sheet materials, provides an upper blower duct 29 which is coupled by means of one or more conduits 30 to discharge orice 15 of blower header 11. Conduits 30 are positioned so as to provide a free path of travel for the processed fibers 'E from the rear of the roving frame to the roll stand R, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Upper blower duct 29 extends the width of a roll stand. A discharge orifice 33 is formed by plate 31 bent as an extension of the walls of upper blower duct 29, as illustrated.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, only one upper discharge orifice is shown, since the clearing of a surface above a drafting roll stand may be accomplished by utilization of a single orifice. It will be understood however by those skilled in the art that a plurality of orifices may be employed by providing the upper blower duct 29 with a blower duct structure similar to that `of lower blower duct 16 formed with a plurality of stepped partially overlapping spaced plates, the space between each overlap between two adjacent plates forming the desired orifice-like slot.

Suction duct 35 is formed as a part of the cover assembly 26 with inlet 36 formed at the forward end of the cover assembly 26, said inlet 36 being oriented to receive the blown airstream emerging from discharge orifice 33, along with any foreign matter entrained in the airstream. Suction duct 35 leads to upper suction conduit 37 leading to suction header 33 coupled via schematically shown suction line 24, leading through filter or collector separator 25 to the suction or low side of fan 13.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the blower conduits 30 and the upper suction conduits 37 are horizontally spaced behind roll stand R to provide a passage for the processed fibers F from the rear of the roving frame to the rolls of roll stand R. The conduits 3f) and 37 are preferably secured to their respective headers 11 and 3S, while the suction duct 35 and upper blower duct 29 are formed integrally with the cover assembly 26 so that a line of separation exists between ducts 29 and 35 and conduits 30 and 37 to permit pivoting of the cover assembly 26 about hinge pivot point 27 to expose the roll stand R. In order to minimize any turbulence of the air in the area surrounding the roll stand R, a depending flange 4f) is secured to the front edge of cover assembly 26 to enclose the roll stand R.

It has been empirically determined that the utilization of a plurality of spaced blower orifices 13 may readily be employed without uneconomically increasing required air capacities of fan 13 by arranging the blower orifices with a spacing elong the direction of air travel greater than four times the equi-valent -diameter of the orifices. A distance between orifices of eight times the equivalent diameter is preferable, with an upper limit between orifices equal to ten times the equivalent diameter being found to be an economic maximum. Optimum performance is obtained by spacing the orifices between four and ten times their equivalent diameters. The orifices employed are of a slot-like configuration, having a rectangular cross-section with a height to width ratio of approximately 1 to 40.

Operation In use, the aforedescribed pneumatic cleaning equipment may be employed in a variety of situations where it is desired to maintain an area in the vicinity of material flow through processing equipment in a relatively undisturbed clean condition. As here described, the pneumatic cleaning equipment has been illustrated as applied to a roll stand R of a roving frame.

The processed fibers or sliver F is fed from the roving fra-me delivery to the roll stand R in a spacing (not shown) between horizontally spaced blower conduits 30 and suction conduit 37. The roll stand R is equipped with conventional roll strippers s, and it will be observed that the roll stand is substantially enclosed between lower blower duct 16, collecting pan 2l and upper cover assembly 25.

Any light fly, dust, or the like particles separating from the sliver F due to the drafting process, or cleaned from the drafting rolls by strippers s are entrained in the airstream set up by the blower and suction ducts.

The lighter particles of foreign matter are picked up in the upper airstream produced by blower orifice 33 moving over the top of the roll stand R and picked up in suction inlet 36. The effective sphere of influence of this upper airstream is restricted essentially to the space above the sliver F. The upper airstream, and any particles entrained therein are led via suction duct 35 through upper suction conduit 37 to suction header 3S back through filter separator 25, in which the foreign particles are removed from the airstream, with the air being led back to the suction side of fan 13.

The heavier particles produced as a result of the passage of the sliver F through the processing rolls of roll stand R drop by gravity to the upper surface of blower duct 16. These particles are blown by an airstream set up by blower orifices 18 to collecting pan 21. In view of the continuous operation of the fan, there is a continuous fiOw of air through lower orifices 18, thus preventing any accumulations of foreign matter on the upper surface of `blower duct 16, since this foreign matter is entrained in the blown airstream before striking the surface of the duct. From the collecting pan 21, the airstream, and the cntrained foreign matter, is sucked through suction duct 22 to suction header 23, whence it is fed through separator 25, with the foreign matter separated and the air returned to fan 13. By adjusting the orifice spacing in lower blower duct 16, it is possible to prevent any turbulence, by insuring the passage of air from the blower orifices 1S in a path beneath the path of travel of sliver F.

As shown in FIG. 2, the capacities of fan 13 required to effect desired operation is determined by the distance between discharge orifices, and the number of discharge orifices.

The curves represent the blower requirements when using 1, 2, 3 or 4 orifices so as to secure the necessary velocity at the end of the duct surface adjacent collecting pan 21. Should the surface be cleaned by only one airstream, produced by only one slot, the blower capacity required would be several times greater than that required in the case where the same area were cleaned by several airstreams.

The economy of performance which is attainable is inversely proportional to the square of the number of the slot in a sequence counting from the rear of the frame. The air velocity at the discharge orifices is approximately inversely proportional to the number of slots. Thus in employing three slots,an air velocity at the outlets is required which constitutes only one-third of that required by using one slot. It is obvious thus that by the use of a plurality of slots, cleaning can be accomplished with relatively low air velocities without interfering with the drafting process.

The above disclosure has been given by way of illustration and elucidation, and not by way of limitation, and it is desired to protect all embodiments of the herein disclosed inventive concept within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed-is:

l. In combination with a textile machine having a drafting arrangement including a plurality of spaced roll pairs between which the roving is drawn along a path between said roll pairs; a blower header arranged adjacent the roll stand; an upper blower duct extending from said header to the top of said roll stand, said blower duct having a discharge orifice directing a blown air stream over the top of said roll stand in a path substantially parallel to the path of travel of the roving between the roll pairs of said roll stand; a lower blower duct coupled to said blower header, said lower blower duct extending beneath the roll pairs of said roll stand, said last named blower duct having a discharge orice directing an air stream in a path substantially parallel to the path of travel of the roving, said lower blower duct having an upper surface inclined downwardly with respect to the path of travel of the roving; an upper suction duct having an intake orifice aligned with the path of travel of the air stream produced by the discharge orifice of said upper blower duct; a lower suction duct having an intake orifice positioned beneath the path of travel of the air stream established by said lower blower duct whereby foreign matter in the vicinity of the roll stand is entrained in the air streams established by the discharge of air from said orifices of said blower ducts without interfering with the passage of the roving through the roll pairs of the roll stand.

2. A combination, as in claim 1, in which a collecting pan is positioned in the path of travel of the air stream established by the discharge of air from the orifice of said lower blower duct, said pan extending to the intake orifice of said lower suction duct, whereby any material entrained in the air stream established by said lower blower duct will be baffled and dropped to a position adjacent the i11- take orifice of said lower suction duct.

3. A combination, as in claim l, in which said lower blower duct comprises an upper surface formed by a plurality of stepped, partially overlapping spaced plates, with the space between each overlap between adjacent plates, forming a discharge orifice.

4. A combination, as in claim 3, in which the spacing between the orifices formed by said overlapping plates is at least four times the equivalent diameter of said orifices.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,862,249 12/1958 Dudley et al 15-306.1 2,984,263 5/1961 Loepsinger 15-301 X 3,078,496 2/1963 Doran et al. 15-346 FOREIGN PATENTS 641,022 6/ 1962 Italy. 982,635 2/ 1965 Great Britain.

ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

